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virtuallori's review against another edition
I am so tired of award-nominated books being nothing but gloom and doom and despair. There is not one single likable character among the many that populate this book. The theme was cleverly explored and the writing is solid and evocative; I just wish it had been put to use in service of a character I could root for.
elsayles's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good set of short stories
sariggs's review against another edition
2.0
This book was one the NYPL's "365 books by female authors" list.
If you start this at p119, and read all the stories until the end, you might give this 3 or 4 stars. I read for the beginning and already hated it by p119. Too bad, because the stories after that are interesting. I think "The Sea Turtle Hospital" is my favorite.
If you start this at p119, and read all the stories until the end, you might give this 3 or 4 stars. I read for the beginning and already hated it by p119. Too bad, because the stories after that are interesting. I think "The Sea Turtle Hospital" is my favorite.
catincaciornei's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes a writer strings along few words and almost perfectly matches how you see the world; yes, I too thought that islands of time and hearts pounding as if running an immense race and having unused parts of yourself are vivid real descriptions of daily life. So does Karen Bender. One power of the short story is limited space - each word has meaning, each sentence adds layers, the writer has a single shot to open the world to the reader; Mr. Bender uses her given arrows beautifully.
The stories are focused on subjects of money, generally not having enough of it, family and children. It's feminine without being at all desperate or frilly or trying to push an independence agenda; it is what it is, just like daily living is.
Beautiful collection, I'm glad to have made the effort to purchase it (since it's not available in Kindle format, I had to pick it up during a trip to the USA; well worth it).
The stories are focused on subjects of money, generally not having enough of it, family and children. It's feminine without being at all desperate or frilly or trying to push an independence agenda; it is what it is, just like daily living is.
Beautiful collection, I'm glad to have made the effort to purchase it (since it's not available in Kindle format, I had to pick it up during a trip to the USA; well worth it).
bowierowie's review against another edition
5.0
I love this collection so much. So many of the stories are at once funny, tender, and incisive. One of my favorite things about these stories is that they're all deeply rooted in reality, but there is a fantastic element to some of them that Bender pulls off so well and that I find completely delightful and moving. I'm really looking forward to rereading many of these, particularly "Reunion," "Anything for Money," and "A Chick from My Dream Life."
kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
Truly original and thought-provoking stories on money, human interaction, and daily life.
kbc's review against another edition
3.0
Money (lack thereof) and children (an excess love of) are the cause of all problems.
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